What will goodwill not accept

Note regarding furniture: Goodwill accepts usable furniture that can be sold in our stores. To ensure the safety of our employees, we ask that donations of furniture be made at our retail stores whenever possible. These lists are to be used as guidelines. There may be other items not listed that we can use in the stores or which must be turned down due to size, condition or suitability. Dumping is illegal — violators will be prosecuted. Donations can be made at our retail stores and attended donation centers.

Unfortunately, we cannot accept certain items including but not limited to: Large household appliances. Stoves, refrigerators, washers, dryers, water heaters. Goodwill does not sell these items in the stores and there are strict ordinances concerning their disposal. TVs, microwave ovens, copy machines. Goodwill cannot repair these items. Do a quick search online to find the nearest food donation drop-off center near you.

This includes chewed, soiled or stained items, as well as items covered in pet dander or fur. Items that have been badly damaged by pets can carry germs or allergens that could prevent potential takers from buying the item. Again, each store is different when it comes to accepted donations. Here is a short list of Goodwill donation tips to keep close during your next big cleanout:. Wondering what donation and recycling options you have in your area?

We talked with Goodwill professionals across the country to create the following local donation guidelines. Use these and our city recycling guides to decide what to donate and what to throw away during your next big cleanout:. But keep in mind that the tips above are general donation guidelines. While one location may not accept items larger than a couch, others may have car donation programs, like Goodwill Denver.

Check out our Ridiculously Thorough Guide to Decluttering Your Home for more great tips on home, attic and garage cleanouts. Test small appliances to ensure that they are in safe, working order. Inspect glassware for chips and cracks; package and transport these items carefully. For all other items, be sure they can be used the way they were intended to be used.

Knowing what not to donate to Goodwill is not a new dilemma. Need to get rid of more than one big-ticket item? Call to rent a dumpster for your junk removal project. Related Posts. November 10, 0. August 30, 2. Though you may have the best intentions with some of your donations, there are some items Goodwill will not accept. Many of these items fit into categories, such as cleaners and chemicals, large appliances, and mattresses, among others.

You may have to find other causes that will accept these items. In order for personal care items to remain safe for others to use, they have to be well-organized and have their expiration dates checked periodically. Plus, all those shampoo and lotion bottles will take up quite a bit of space and will make a huge mess if they spill or break during transport or in the facility. You may intend to be helpful by donating items to allow others to keep their homes clean and tidy.

Some Goodwill facilities are low on space or have to use their space wisely in general. Donating a bed frame is a great idea, but mattresses and waterbeds, not so much. The same goes for outdated or unsafe car seats and mobility items. Goodwill does not accept the following home materials and fixtures. The following list of weapons is not exhaustive. Even though Goodwill accepts other household tools and similar items, weapons are not accepted.

Goodwill not accepting trash or other recyclables may sound obvious. Not exactly. Maybe you can bring these to your workplace to try and pawn off on your coworkers instead. They may make an exception if they have a specific need for that item.